Aeroplane



June 2, 1931.

P. J. WAGNER AEROIILANE Filed Sept. 19. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Juhe 2, 1931.-

P. J. WAGNER AEROPLANE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.

J e fer J 71 a new;

INVENTOR ATTORNEY P. J. WAGNER June 2, 1931.

AEROPLANE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 19. 1930 ATTORNEY P. J. WAGNER June 2, 1931.

AEROPLANE Filed Sept. 19, "-1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- Pe ter J Way ATTORNEY Patented June 2, 1931 PATENT OFFICE PETER J. WAGNER, E HAJEFEY, PENNSYLVANIA nnn-orLANE Application filed September 19, 1930. Serial No. 483,043.

The present invention is directed to aeroplane construction, wherein provision is made for vertical lift properties, with the means serving this function .also serving as the sustaining means in direct flight.

The primary object is the provision of wings continuously and successively presented as lifting and sustaining elements, each of the wings being relatively foldable to provide for maximum sustaining power when in one position and to present minimum resistance in all other positions.

A further object is the provision of means whereby a plurality of wings may be successively presented in power position and then folded in non-resistive position, with the relative disposition of the wings such as to maintain a constant wing spread under all operating conditions.

A further object is the utilization of hollow cylinders as a means for insuring wing presentation and as a further means for banking the air for the effective operation of the driving propellers.

The invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of an aeroplane construction according to the present invention, certain conventional parts unnecessary-to an understanding of the invention being omitted. V r j Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. v

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. l is an end viewof one of the wingcarryingv cylinders, the propeller being shown.

5 is a sectional view, partly in .ele- Vation, showing the propeller blades and the means for adjusting their pitch.

Fig. 6 isa broken sectional view, showlng the foldable'wing, the Wing-carrying cylinder, and the guide for the outer edge of the wing, the line of section being 6' 6 on Fig. 3. I

Fig. '7 is a section on the line of Fig. 6. The improved aeroplane construction, in the essential details necessary to an understanding of the present invention, includes a me n eac side f the en r l a g tudmal line of which is rotatively supported .a hollow cylinder 2, hereinafter termed the wing-carrying cyllnder. These cylinders are supported on longitudinal shafts ,3, driven through appropriate gearing 4t and shafts from an engine or motor 6, preferably dupli line of the aeroplane.

Supported by and extending in both directions beyond the side limits of the fran'ie 1, are guides 7. These guides are of hollow rectangular form in cross section, their inner walls presenting openings 8. These guides are in the form of endless, relatively narrow band-like members, and may be in any ap propriate number, three being shown. The guides beyond the frame lare of circular form, andinwardly of the sides of the frame are somewhat oval, with the portions 9 below the transverse center of the frame on a greater radius than the portion 10 above such center.

'lVings 11 are secured to and operated by the wing-carrying. cylinders 2. These wings are of appropriate length, preferably coextensive with the overall length of the body, and are to be constructed of usual or any preferred appropriate material, and to be individually made up or specifically formed in any conventional way to insure proper servcated at each end of the longitudinal central ice. The ings are made up of longitudinal- .sections, as 12,the;meet1ng edges being lllnflQCl at 13 in a manner. to prevent folding of e e sections 1n one direct on, while permitting free relative movement in the opposite direction. Thus the wings are rigid against pressure in one direction,-while yielding to pressure in the opposite direction.

The Wings 11 are hingedlyo-r movably connected at their inner edges to the wing-carrycyhndersQ, there bemg four such i connected to each cylinder, arranged in diametr1cally-opp0sed pairs. The relatively outer edges of the wings are provided in alinemen-t with the guides'Z, with brackets 1ft, carrying terminal rollers 15, The brackets extend through the openings 8 in the in nor walls of the guides, while' the rollers .7

travel against the inner wall on each side of th spel i gs- T us the t r dgesof the wings are connected to-the guidesand are compelled to travel in the path defined by the guides during the rotation of the wing-carrying cylinders 2.

It is to be particularly noted that the wingarrying cylinders 2 have their axes in the plane of the transverse center of the frame, th peripheries of the cylinders operating closely to the inner portions of the guides. The guides and cylinders at this inner operating plane are spaced. apart sufliciently to accommodate the movement of the wings between them, the guides, above and below this point gradually departing from the peripheral plane of the cylinder. Owing to the degree of curvature of the respective upper and lower portions of the guides within the frame 1, the lower portion of the guide departs more sharply from the peripheral plane of the cylinder than the upper portion of the guide. Thus, the lower portion of the guide is arranged at such distance from the cylinder as to substantially correspond with the full width of the wing, and then merges into the cylindrical outer portion of the guide, which outer portion is spaced from the cylinder a distance equalling the full wing spread.

As a result of this construction, the cylinders when rotating in the direction of the arrows indicated in Fig. 2, will carry the inner edges of the wings in circular plane and compel a following movement of the outer edges of the wings. When a particular wing in the horizontal plane of the axes of the cylinders, the wings will be fully spread, that is in full supporting position, and possible upward relative wing section movement being prevented by the hinge construction. The wing is thus in its maximum sustaining position, and as the cylinder movement continues, the relative spacing of the cylinder and guide compels a continuation of this fullspread wing relation until the wing is well below the center line. As the guides approach the cylinder the wing gradually folds on the hinged section lines, the wing folding against the guides and rising in this guide contacting relation between the guides and cylinder. In the upper portions of the guides the wings gradually approach the extended relation, as such guides rise from the peripheral plane of the clyinder, this movement continuing until the wing is fully extended. The fully extended relation of the wing occurs materially above center position of the wing, so that the wing is appreciably exerting a downward pressure on the air before it reaches its most effective position.

There are as stated four wings secured to each cylinder, so that there is an almost continuous wing-supporting area provided, for each wing is approaching fully extended posi tion before the preceding wing is beginning to fold. In fact a particular wing maintains its spread relation throughout substantially the full lower half of the guide form, and

while its active power is decreasing, it is nevertheless capable of maintaining a certain degree of pressure on the air to a point at least where the next succeeding wing is open ing to full spread.

Thus under rotation of the cylinders the wings are successively presented to fullyspread position and maintained in this position for an appreciable part of their sweep, then folded to avoid air resistance in the upward movement. Thus the aeroplane is not only capable of exerting a strong and direct lifting power through the successive operation of the wings, but presents a substantially constant wing supporting surface. The aeroplane thus presents valuable direct lift characteristics, without detracting from its sustaining power during direct flight.

The longitudinal shafts 3 are provided, preferably at both ends with propellers, the functions of which are rendered more effective through the air-banks obtained through the hollow cylinders. These propellers, indicated generally at 16, have their blades 17 arranged for adjustment to vary propeller pitch. This means is more clearly shown in *ig. 5, and involves the mounting of the blades for rotation at their inner terminals, as at 18. Each blade is provided with a pinion 19, and racks 20 are arranged to cooperate with such pinions. The racks are terminally connected to a disk member 21, rotative in a ring 22, slidably guided in a cylindrical guide 23, carried by the propeller support. The racks are connected to an operator 24, connected through a series of levers 25 with a central control point. Obviously, the blades may thus be rotatively adjusted at will, altering the pitch of the propeller.

The central portion of the frame 1, between the operative planes of the cylinders 2, is provided with a sealing means 35 to prevent the upward passage of the air at this point, insuring that all downward pressure of the wings is effective as a lifting pressure.

The body is provided with fore and aft fixed aerodynamic surfaces 27 and 28, corresponding to the fixed stabilizers of an aeroplane, and each such element is provided with an elevator 29 and a vertical rudder 30. A vertical pendulum stabilizer is hinged connected to the frame below the air seal 26. Lateral stabilizers 31 are arranged at each side of the machine. All such parts are controlled in the usual or any conventional manner, and needs no additional description herein.

The landing gear includes uprights 32 connected to the frame 1, and carrying landing wheels 33, the uprights are held in relative positions by flexible connections or springs 34;, which permit deflection and shock absorption in landing.

It will of course be appreciated that the speed of the cylinders 2 carrying the wings will not be driven at the speed of the propellers 16, and that the connection of the latter to the shafts 3, which serve to directly drive the cylinders 2, is to be made through any conventional or preferred interconnec ing gearing, through which the speed of the propellers may be increased relative to the speed of rotation of the cylinders. This detail, forming no material part of the invention is not believed necessary to illustrate.

What is claimed as new is z 1. An aeroplane having wings made up of relatively rigid sections having fold-permitting connections between them, means for causin the outer edge of the Wings to follow a substantially circular path, and means for causing the inner edge of the wings to follow a circular path eccentric to the first mentioned path.

2. An aeroplane having Wings made up of relatively rigid sections, means connecting the sections to permit their folding, means for guiding the outer edge of the Wings through a substantially circular path, and means for guiding the inner edge of the wings through an independent circular path eccentric to the first mentioned path, the relation of the paths serving to alternately extend and fold the wings.

3. An aeroplane having wings made up of relatively rigid sections, means connecting the sections to permit their relative folding in one direction, means for compelling bodily movement of thewings to cause the inner edge thereof to follow a circular path and the outer edge thereof to follow a substantially circular nonconcentric path, with the respective paths substantially coincident through a predetermined length of Wing travel.

i. An aeroplane having a wing made up of hingedly connected sections, means for guiding the outer edge of tie wing through a predetermined path, means for guiding the inner edge of the Wing through a predetermined path eccentric to the first-mentioned path, the relative dispositions of the paths causing the wing sections to be extended into Wingforming relation throughout a predetermined portion of the paths and folded on their hinged connection throughout the re maining portions of the paths.

5. An aeroplane including a rotating cylinder, a plurality of wings having their inner edges connected to the cylinder, each of said wings being constructed of relatively rigid sections, means connecting the longitudinal edges of the sections to provide for the relative folding of the sections without reducing their normal area, and guides for the outer edges of the Wings, said guides serving to alternately extend and fold the Wings in the movement of the cylinder.

6. An aeroplane including a rotating CylHL- der, a plurality of Wings connected at them ing the rotation of the cylinder said guiding means being eccentric to the pathof movement of the cylinder and serving toalternatc- 'ly extend and fold the wings in the movement of the cylinder.

7. An aeroplane including a rotating cylinder, a plurality of Wings connected attheir inner edges to the cylinder, each of said'vvings' being constructed of relatively rigid sections, means connecting the longitudinal edges of the sections to provide for the relative folding of the sections W1thout reducing their normal area, and guide:

carried by the aeroplane and serving to receive and guide the outer edges of the Wings, said guides encircling the cylinders and having a portion substantially coincident with the path of movement of the cylinders and a portion spaced from the cylinders equalling the width of the wings when extended, where by in the rotation of the cylinder the Wing; are alternately extended and folded.

8. An aeroplane including a plurality of rotating cylinders, wings secured in diametrically opposed paths to each of saio cylinders, said Wings being made up of sections hingedly connected together, and guides encircling each cylinder and receiving and guiding the outer edges of each of the \vi gs connected 'to that cylinder, the guides being eccentric to the path of movement of the cylinder to cause the Wings to be successively .exteni'lcrl in full wing formation and thereafter folded on their hinged connections during the rotation of the cylinders.

' 9; An aeroplane having a hollow rotating cylinder, a plurality of collapsible wings made up of relatively rigid sections with hinges connecting the longitudinal edges of the'sections to permit folding of the wings Without interfering with the normal area of the sections, said Wings being secured at their inner edges to the cylinder, guides encircling and arranged eccentrically with respect-to the path of movement of the cylinder, said guides receiving and guiding the outer edges of the wings to'cause them to successively extend and collapse in the rotative movement of. the cylinder,

10. An aeroplane including a hollow rotating cylinder, aplurality of collapsible wings made up of relatively rigid sections with hinges connecting" the longitudinal edges of the sections to permit folding of the wings Without"interferingwith the normal area of the sections, said wings being secured at their inner edges to the cylinder, and

means whereby the wings are alternately collapsed and extended during the rotation of the cylinder.

11. An aeroplane including a hollow rotating cylinder, a plurality of collapsible wings made up of relatively rigid sections with hinges connecting the longitudinal edges of the. sections to permit folding of the wings without interfering with the normal area of the sections, said wings being secured at their inner edges to the cylinder, means whereby the wings are alternately collapsed and extended during the rotation of the cylinder, and a propeller operative at one end of the cylinder.

12. An aeroplane including a hollow rotating cylinder, a plurality of collapsible wings made up of relatively rigid sections with hinges connecting the longitudinal edges of the sections to permit folding of the wings without interfering with the normal area of the. sections, said wings being secured at their inner edges to the cylinder, means whereby the wings are alternately collapsed and extended during the rotation of the cylinder, and a propeller at each end of the cylinder.

13. An aeroplane including a hollow rotating cylinder, a plurality of wings secured at their inner edges to the cylinder, each of the wings being made up of relatively rigid sections having a length exceeding their breadth, and hinged connections between the sections to permit their relative folding in one direction while preventing their folding in the opposite direction, means whereby the wings are alternately collapsed and extended during the rotation of the cylinder, a propeller at each end of the cylinder, and means for adjusting the pitch of the propeller blades.

14. An aeroplane including a body, a rotating cylinder mounted on each side of the body, an air seal arranged between the cylinders, wing guides encircling each cylinder, and wings made up of rigid sections connected at their meeting edges to permit their relative folding and connected at their inner edges to the respective cylinders, the outer edges of the wings being movably connected to the guides, said guides and cylinders being relatively arranged to cause alternate extension and collapse of the wings in the rotation of the cylinders.

15. An aeroplane including a body, a rotating cylinder mounted on each side of the body, an air seal arranged between the cylinders, wing guides encircling each cylinder, collapsible wings connected at their inner edges to the respective cylinders, the outer edges of the wings being movably connected to the guides, said guides and cylinders being relatively arranged to cause alternate extension and collapse of the wings in the rotation of the cylinders, and pendulum stabilizers hingedly connected to the bottom of the air seal.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

PETER J. lVAGNER.

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